Rangers legend Ally McCoist is one of only a few players who know what it’s like to play – and win – for Scotland at a European Championships.
The former Ibrox striker is making a name for himself on broadcasting duties these days but 30 years ago he was netting for his nation at Euro 1996.
Coincidentally, the 1-0 win over Switzerland in England is the last time Scotland won a match at a major tournament.
Now, Ally McCoist was tasked with Scotland commentary duties at Euro 2024 as Steve Clarke’s stuttering side looked to salvage their campaign in Germany.
And in a show of both footballing knowledge and heartbreaking perception, McCoist flat-out predicted the moment which could cost the Scotland manager his job.
Rangers legend predicts Scotland flop
Heading into the final Group A clash with Hungary, Scotland knew they needed a victory to guarantee progression to the knockouts.
Having been humbled 5-1 by hosts Germany in the opener and held 1-1 by Switzerland on match day two, it all came down to this.
In a nervy encounter lacking genuine quality, Scotland were the team looking more likely to win it at the death as they pushed Hungary in search of a late goal.
With the score neatly poised at 0-0, Scotland won a late corner and went for the jugular by leaving it man-for-man at the back.
It’s a moment which stunned Ally McCoist on commentary before Hungary streamed up the pitch and scored what turned out to be the winner in the 100th minute.
McCoist told ITV viewers before the corner: “I’m not sure I’d be leaving it one-for-one at the back to be quite honest with you.”
After Hungary broke forward and Kevin Csoboth swept home the winner McCoist was in no mood to revel in predicting the cock-up.
“Look at this!” McCoist exclaimed with Hungary on the break. “I’ve never wanted less in my life to say ‘I told you so’.
“But I cannot believe Scotland left it one-v-one at the back. Honestly, I cannot believe they’ve got a corner and they go one-for-one at the back.
“And they got punished, simple as.”
Clarke fumbles at Euro 2024
At 0-0 Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes were on the precipice, but at 1-0 they were dead and buried.
With four third place teams also qualifying for the knockout round Scotland might’ve been in with a slim chance and chose to go for the win at the wrong moment.
The calamity of the entire thing sums up a Scotland campaign fraught with nerves, errors and a lack of cohesion which was not evident in Steve Clarke’s earlier years.
The Scotland manager is now at the centre of substantial criticism as supporters who’ve spent hard-earned cash to follow the nation to Germany are left bitterly disappointed.
Contracted to the national team until after the 2026 World Cup, some might argue the ex-Killie boss has earned his chance to qualify for the tournament in Mexico, USA & Canada after back-to-back European Championships.
But with Ally McCoist even pointing out basic errors on commentary, the writing may well be on the wall with Scotland on a run of one win (v Gibraltar) in 12 games.
Questions over Clarke’s tactics and choice of squad have also hung over the entire Euro 2024 campaign as Scotland fans trudge back home with their kilts drenched in German beer, rain, sweat and tears.
Rangers fans who have openly criticised Clarke for leaving one Ibrox star at home will also be feeling pretty vindicated.
